Fifteen years of central catheter applications and outcomes in intensive care patients: A single-center pediatric experience

Abstract

Background: To investigate the clinical outcome of central line placement in the pediatric age group and to evaluate the risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). Methods: We retrospectively examined the outcomes and CLABSI risk factors of pediatric patients aged 0–17 years admitted to intensive care units who had central catheters placed between January 2005 and December 2020. Results: Of the 2718 catheter admissions, 1502 catheter admissions were eligible for the regression and other outcome analyses. Fifty-seven percent of the study group were umbilical artery and vein catheters and 43% were other central catheter admissions, including ultrasound-guided catheter admissions. Logistic regression analysis showed us that right internal jugular vein (RIJV) (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.15–2.02, p = 0.030) was the insertion site and ultrasound-guided interventional radiology catheter placement was the technique (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.07–2.90, p = 0.024), duration of catheter stay (OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 1.06–1.08, p < 0.001), catheter placement in patients older than 2 years (OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.69–3.45, p < 0.001), were risk factors for CLABSI. Conclusion: Although CLABSI has variable risk factors, the most important risk factor seems to be the length of catheter stay.